TOKYO, Oct 28 (Information On Japan) –
From a ‘Sushi’ signal on a crosswalk and automobiles passing below ‘large metal towers,’ to slender tunnels barely navigable by compact vehicles and an illuminated signal floating in Tokyo’s evening sky — every scene has an uncommon story.
In a Kawasaki crosswalk in Kanagawa Prefecture, pedestrians encounter a curious signal with the phrase ‘Sushi.’ What does it imply?
Native Resident: ‘It looks as if one thing foreigners would get pleasure from taking pictures of.’ ‘It’s not about meals, so what’s it? I can’t perceive it in any respect.’
Then, there’s one other signal with the phrase ‘Hato’ (Pigeon). Might it’s a warning about pigeon droppings from above?
Native Resident: ‘Possibly it means to be careful for pigeon droppings from the wires?’
However the signal is not about pigeons. As a substitute, it’s a mixture of highway narrowing and T-intersection indicators that occur to spell out ‘Hato’ when positioned vertically.
The ‘Sushi’ signal stays a thriller. So what may it imply?
Taxi Driver: ‘An indication you may see whereas driving.’
Trying on the median strip, the indicators span 9 places. When learn sequentially, they are saying, ‘Cut back Velocity!’ and ‘Fasten Seatbelts.’ The phrase ‘Sushi’ within the center seems to be an unintended addition, making a puzzling sight.
Why Right here? A Tower Constructed Proper within the Center of the Highway
In Kounosu Metropolis, Saitama Prefecture, a metal tower stands in the course of a highway. Automobiles go below this distinctive construction.
And simply down the highway, one other tower seems in the course of the road. This isn’t the one one. In Kounosu, three towers are positioned alongside roadsides.
The towers, roughly 43 meters excessive, have been constructed to supply electrical energy to a neighborhood electrical gear manufacturing unit.
Native Resident: ‘(Q. Who constructed it?) An organization named Fuji Electrical constructed it for its energy provide.’
Constructed practically 50 years in the past, the towers date again to 1974. Even Tokyo Electrical Energy Firm (TEPCO) was unsure concerning the actual causes for his or her placement. A 97-year-old resident, who has lived within the space for over half a century, shared his recollections:
Toshio Harada (97): ‘(Q. What was the realm like when the towers have been constructed?) It was largely farmland. The highway existed, however it was about half its present width.’
Aerial images from the Nineteen Sixties present no constructions on the website of the present towers, however by 1974, the towers have been constructed. Two years later, the encircling space noticed new residential developments. Specialists speculate that the towers’ placement was supposed to optimize land use with out disrupting native life.
Professor Toshiya Yoshida, Tokyo College of Know-how, Division of Engineering: ‘The primary purpose was probably environment friendly land use. The towers have been positioned to reduce disruption to residents’ lives.’
A Tunnel So Slender Solely Small Automobiles Can Move By
In Kakegawa Metropolis, Shizuoka Prefecture, lies an ultra-narrow tunnel. After a brief drive from the station, a taxi carrying the information crew arrived on the website.
Reporter: ‘The highway’s nonetheless there, it appears.’
Taxi Driver: ‘A compact automobile may have the ability to make it by way of.’
The slender highway limits passage to compact vehicles. As a neighborhood resident defined, this difficult tunnel has turn into a little bit of a neighborhood attraction:
Native Resident: ‘It’s not precisely secure, however I’d be completely satisfied to provide it a strive.’
The resident, who as soon as drove by way of the tunnel, led the crew into the ‘Iwaya Tunnel,’ a slender passageway with a top clearance of just one.7 meters.
Resident: ‘You’ll must fold within the mirrors right here.’
Reporter: ‘It seems like driving by way of a drum barrel.’
Resident: ‘It’s intense.’
Reporter: ‘It’s so tight—prime and sides.’
After a cautious six-minute journey by way of the 67-meter-long tunnel, the exit was lastly reached.
Reporter: ‘Made it by way of!’
Resident: ‘Sure, we did!’
Initially constructed as a shortcut connecting villages within the Meiji period, the tunnel is now a uncommon remnant of the previous.
Koshiro Kobayashi, Native Historian: ‘Individuals used to manually dig these tunnels to make life simpler.’
Constructed by hand, the uneven top of the tunnel displays its non-professional origins. Alongside, they even discovered a aspect cave probably used as a wartime shelter.
Kobayashi: ‘It might need functioned as an air-raid shelter.’
The tunnel sees much less use right this moment because the native inhabitants ages.
Helpful or Simply Odd? Floating Indicators within the Night time Sky
Lastly, a mysterious floating image seen in Tokyo’s Ariake district has puzzled passersby.
Passerby: ‘Might it’s to forestall planes from crashing into one thing?’
One other Passerby: ‘What’s it even for? I don’t know.’
Seen on the chimney of the Ariake Waste Remedy Plant, the floating signal seems to be a clock—although not a straightforward one to learn.
Yuta Hachiya, Plant Engineer: ‘The lights on the chimney really perform as a clock.’
The yellow lights point out minutes, growing each 5 minutes, whereas purple lights present hours.
Passerby: ‘It’s a clock?’
One other Passerby: ‘So it’s round 8 o’clock? It is likely to be handy.’
